When an individual takes that step to reach out for help and is met not by thin air, but by a human, the connection can be life changing. Sometimes all it takes is a warm welcome, a smiling face, and an ear that doesn’t judge. We know the power of the simplest connection.
Neighbourhood Centre Week, happening 30th April – 6th May 2018, is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the role of neighbourhood centres in the community. A common thread running through every Centre is their inclusive nature; anyone and everyone is welcome. This makes Neighbourhood Centres real hubs of their community, places where friendships are formed and nurtured, and where people of all ages and all walks of life can really feel that they belong.
Neighbourhood Central belongs to a nationwide network offering activities, programs and services that support social inclusion and address factors that can lead to social exclusion. The organisation is community-based, is funded by local, state and federal government, and covers many areas of service including; families and youth, meal services, home modification and maintenance, social support, home care packages, community transport, Indigenous support, NDIS disability support services and community visitor’s services; all delivered with a client centered approach.
Neighbourhood Central “connects the disconnected” because it creates opportunities for people, normally isolated or marginalised through life circumstances, to come together and build stronger bonds with the broader community.
This is achieved through volunteering, participating in an activity, being part of the leadership team or just making new friends. These social connections create the building blocks for strong, resilient communities that can handle community crises or support the most vulnerable families and children.